Case studies

Alternatives

Managing the potential impacts due to a changing climate is challenged by uncertainty. Based on the possible threats to park resources, a set of recommendations were made. Many focused on the need for more knowledge and research to clarify risks so that intelligent decisions could be made in the future. 

A key choice that must be revisited is whether the continued ‘hands off’ approach to management should be replaced by a more adaptive approach. A primary recommendation of the project was the adoption of a more interventionist method to the management of climate problems.

Suggestions for dealing with the potential impacts of climate change are summarized below. They are designed to be in line with the existing park plan’s objectives and strategies. In general, a wider spatial scale is emphasized to help recognize uncertainty. Successful adaptation will require vigilance and building resilience, preparedness, and wider cooperation among stakeholders.

•     Topic: Ecosystem management approach

Assessment: Aiming to preserve representative ecosystems in specific, well-bounded locations are not adequate under changing climate conditions.
i.    Recognize the potential long-term shifts in ecosystem components and processes are needed at a policy level.
ii.    Cooperate with adjacent parks and landowners to address potential climate impacts.
iii.    Develop integrated adaptation strategies over a broader spatial scale.

•     Topic: Water

Assessment: The long-term effect on water resources is difficult to predict based on current levels of data and uncertain climate change forecasts.
i.    Collect key data aimed at detection of long-term climate change trends.
ii.    Collaborate with other jurisdictions on monitoring and modelling of climate change effects on glaciers, snowpack and hydrology.

•    Topic: Vegetation

Assessment: The climactic suitability of areas for different ecosystems and species is changing, threatening sensitive alpine meadows and making areas more vulnerable to major fires, insect outbreaks and invasive species.
i.    Greater limits on human access to alpine meadows and firmer requirements to stay on maintained trails.
ii.    Fire management that mimics landscape-level burn rates, while recognizing that the natural range of variation is likely shifting.
iii.    Develop management capacity to respond to major insect infestation outbreaks, detect invasive species, and develop a protocol to assess and prioritize action around ‘true’ invasives vs. climate adaptation migrations.
iv.    Monitor for climate change effects.

•     Topic: Fish and wildlife

Assessment: The park plays and important fish and wildlife refuge role, as ecosystems respond to changing climate, so too should we expect fish and wildlife population dynamics to change.
i.    Investigate the potential for climate driven changes to population dynamics. Note that listed species may be particularly vulnerable.

•    Topic: Scientific research and education

Assessment: The park is in an ideal position to contribute to and benefit from collaborative research projects, and to institute mutli-disciplinary monitoring and detection of ecological and hydrological trends.
i.    Develop an active role in collaborative climate change research.
ii.    Longer term effort focused on targeted impact assessments and adaption plans for climate-sensitive species.
iii.    Scientific knowledge of climate change and its impacts should be shared internally and externally.
iv.    Establish a program of long-term, high-elevation monitoring.
 

•     Topic: Outdoor recreation

Assessment: As climate changes, it will be important to determine which aspects of outdoor recreation are most vulnerable through investigations on an activity or sector basis to inform management decisions.
i.    Determine which aspects of outdoor recreation are most vulnerable.
ii.    Consider how climate change might affect different sectors or user groups.
iii.    Consider long-term climate change impacts in all major decisions related to infrastructure and facilities.
iv.    Assess potential effects on access, safety, infrastructure, and the tourism economy. (Suffling & Scott, 2002)

•     Topic: Visitor experience and interpretation:

Assessment: Providing information and education to visitors is an important service provided by BC Parks. Climate change interpretation could be an important addition to this service. 
i.    Build awareness, capacity, and acceptance for climate change adaptation with the public.